Was Mike Miller amnesty a Heat mistake?

ASK IRA:

June 19, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

A: And both coaches allow their players to play, to find their way through games, never too rigid that they are unable to adjust. In fact, that's what made last year's Finals so compelling, the rotation adjustments and the style adjustments. Both Gregg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra are quick thinkers at moments of truth (taking Tim Duncan out late in Game 6 was not a mistake, but rather a commitment to staying with a season-long approach), while also able to digest a game and return with a more palatable approach next time out, if needed.

Q: The Spurs play a beautiful game of basketball. They move the ball better than anyone, and were able to make enough adjustments to stop the Thunder attack and Tim Duncan is still, well Tim Duncan, with a great supporting cast. But the Heat play defense way better than the Thunder and can also get to the hoop. This should be a great series. -- Chet.

A: I agree. And it will be all about what transpires on the court, and I'm not talking about blowing in ears or cheap shots. The Spurs' offense is what every team should aspire to, sharing of the ball without regard to who gets the shot, as long as it is the best possible shot. And when the Heat are at their best, they're taking a similar approach. It is difficult to find a villain in this series. As Chris Bosh said, Game 8 of the 2013 Finals starts Thursday. Last year's Finals was a series that deserved an encore.

Q: Who is this year's Mike Miller? -- Adam.

A: Got to tell you, there are few questions that irk Spoelstra more than that one. He positively bristles at the notion of a "Mike Miller role," as if another player can be pigeon-holed into such a contribution. Frankly, I don't know which Heat player is best when shooting while wearing only one shoe. I'd say Rashard Lewis comes closest to the mythical "Mike Miller role." But the reality is that in Game 7 last season, it was Shane Battier who turned himself into Mike Miller, after Miller had turned himself into Shane Battier.

June 3, 2014

Q: LeBron James making second-team All-Defensive sounds about right. He certainly coasted on that end at times. It was just a weird regular season. -- Jeff.

A: While there was outrage from others about LeBron's streak of first-team All-Defensive ending, I think you're closer to the truth. The reality is that, across the board, the Heat only pushed as hard as needed during the regular season. There wasn't the type of all-out commitment to the regular season as there was from other teams (including, lamentably, the Pacers). You could even make the argument that LeBron didn't make his typical definitive statement for regular-season Most Valuable Player. But just as LeBron has pushed deeper than MVP Kevin Durant in these playoffs, figure on the perceived All-Defensive snub also fueling him. There are few things (other than winning championships) that LeBron enjoys more than quieting the naysayers, even if they say nay at the right time.

Q: I notice there are three three-day breaks during the Finals. Each comes before a game in San Antonio, and there will be a five-plus-day break before the first game, also in San Antonio. San Antonio thus gets extra rest prior to each home game. Is this extra rest before each of San Antonio's home games intended to provide additional homecourt advantage for the Spurs? For the three days between Games 1 and 2, it also means the Spurs get to rest at home whereas the Heat have to stay in "enemy territory." This scheduling would appear to provide the Spurs with an unfair advantage in the Finals. -- Gregg.

A: Yes, there will be plenty of room service for the Heat in these Finals. In fact, when they return to San Antonio for Game 5 and 7, if necessary, the league is requiring they return two days before in order to have a full media day before each of those games (which seems unfair, since practicing at home would allow for another night in their own beds). In fact, with the shift to 2-2-1-1-1 scheduling in the Finals, I think it should be like the other rounds, where the only requirement is you arrive the day before a game, not two days.

Q: Greg Oden or Michael Beasley, who should bring their sports coat to San Antonio? -- Charles.

A: I would think Oden, with the Spurs moving to a small lineup against Oklahoma City. I just don't think Greg is nearly as nimble as he needs to be at this level of the playoffs. Beasley could possibly (OK, maybe only out of desperation) provide some relief scoring, if in uniform.

June 2, 2014

Q: Ira, I was watching ESPN and the talk is about the Spurs' bench, and how they got it done against OKC and will do it against Miami. Is their bench that much better? -- Robert.